PURPOSE: To communicate that the Federal SSI payment will increase beginning January 2017.

DISCUSSION: SSI is a Federal income supplement program that pays benefits to an adult or child with a disability and who has limited income and resources. It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income and provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The monthly maximum Federal SSI payment amounts increase with the cost-of-living increases that apply to Social Security benefits. The latest such increase, 0.3 percent, is effective January 2017. The monthly maximum Federal SSI amounts for 2017 are $735 for an eligible individual, $1,103 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $368 for an essential person. There is no anticipated increase in the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) for 2017.

PURPOSE: To communicate that the Federal SSI payment will increase beginning January 2017.

DISCUSSION: SSI is a Federal income supplement program that pays benefits to an adult or child with a disability and who has limited income and resources. It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income and provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The monthly maximum Federal SSI payment amounts increase with the cost-of-living increases that apply to Social Security benefits. The latest such increase, 0.3 percent, is effective January 2017. The monthly maximum Federal SSI amounts for 2017 are $735 for an eligible individual, $1,103 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse, and $368 for an essential person. There is no anticipated increase in the State Supplementary Payment (SSP) for 2017.

September 01, 2016

Being on a waiting list for community-based services may be evidence enough that an individual with developmental disabilities is at risk for institutionalization in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In a statement of interest filed this month, the Justice Department said that if individuals with developmental disabilities are not receiving services in the community, they may have a claim that their rights have been violated.

“Non-institutionalized individuals with disabilities who are not currently receiving state-funded home- and community-based services may bring a claim that a public entity has placed them at risk of institutionalization or segregation in violation of the ‘integration mandate’ of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act,” the federal filing indicates.

This week, Monday and Tuesday are critical for the people of Pennsylvania! Act Now!! Take a stand against HB 461 and in support of HB 806, an alternative that better serves PA!

Oppose HB 461

On Monday, June 3, the House Health Committee meets about HB 461, which seeks to increase the Human Services Block grant from 20 to 30 counties. An amendment will be offered that expands the bill to make the block grant available to “any willing county.” MHAPA and many others oppose HB 461. There is no research or data to show whether the block grant has benefited (or harmed) individuals who need behavioral health services in the counties in which it’s been implemented this year. Without knowing its impact, good or bad, we do not support expansion and neither should legislators.

Speak out NOW! Please contact members of the House Health Committee and House leadership to oppose HB 461 and the amendment. Find the Committee here and House leadershiphere.

Support HB 806

On Tuesday, June 4, the House Human Services committee meets to vote on HB 806, which is Representative Gene DiGirolamo’s alternative to the block grant proposal (HB 461). The bill repeals the block grant but provides flexibility so counties can move unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year. The legislation defines “surplus human services funds” and provides guidelines for how and when the surplus can be used. We support HB 806 but oppose any proposal that seeks to add the "any willing county" language to this bill as well.

The Human Services Committee needs to know that you support HB 806, which repeals the block grant and protects the funding for critical community-based behavioral heatlh services. Contact the House Human Services Committee TODAY! Find members here. Tell them you support HB 806 but oppose the proposal to add “any willing county” to the bill.

April 04, 2013

House Bill 1114 was just introduced to Committee.It is a Bill of Rights that will protect individuals with intellectual disabilities and our families.It looks at the development of a five year plan to address the waiting list.

Please call your House of Representative and tell them to sign on to HB 1114.

February 08, 2013

(Jan. 9) – Gov. Tom Corbett said Wednesday the administrationis considering adding more money to intellectual disabilities programs inan effort to reduce the number of individuals on a waiting list.*

Corbett said the administration is shaping its budget proposal for itsFebruary announcement and plans to announce an increase in funds to furtherreduce the intellectual disabilities waiting list of about 15,000 people.He said $20 million could be added to move some people off the waiting listand into the program.“We believe we’re going to be in the position to put an additional $20million into dealing with those people and reducing the waiting list thatthey’re going through right now,” Corbett said Wednesday after speaking tomiddle schoolers of the Pine Grove School District.*Corbett told Vision for Equality, a Philadelphia- based intellectualdisabilities advocacy group, he would make reducing the list a priority,and said Thursday social welfare dollars should be focused on helpingseverely mentally and physically disabled people.“Back in November, I met with a group of them down in Philadelphia.Severely intellectually and, in some cases, physically disabled – and wehave a waiting list for those people,” he said.**“To me, when we’re talking about social welfare dollars that we have, theyought to be at the top of the pile, not halfway down or at the bottom,” hesaid. “So we’re beginning our effort to move them up and hopefully you’regonna see us able to put … more money in there to reduce the waiting list.”*In the 2012-13 state budget, $17.8 million earmarked for reducing the listhelped take about 1,100 off the list and into programs, including youngadults who are “aging out” of the system and adults with aging parents whoare at risk of no longer being able to care for them.The services those individuals are waiting to use include home and personalcare, therapy, work programs and assistance for those can’t help take careof themselves because of disabilities such as autism or Down syndrome.Various groups have criticized Corbett and his administration foreliminating the cash assistance welfare program, changing financialmanagement services for disabled individuals, and cutting funds forcommunity-based programs such as behavioral health services, mental healthservices, child welfare and homeless assistance.

May 10, 2012

I am pleased to announce the consolidation of several Department of PublicWelfare (DPW) licensing and inspection functions into a single Bureau of HumanServices Licensing (BHSL).

This initiative will involve the consolidation of licensing functions currentlyadministered in several DPW program offices into a single administrative bureau withinthe department’s Office of Administration. By consolidating licensing functions, thedepartment seeks to increase efficiency by eliminating duplicative administrativestructures, and to improve its regulatory protection of vulnerable populations.

We take this step in recognition that human service licensing is a professionaldiscipline, and that a single, consolidated licensing bureau can provide the highest levelof professional development and support for inspectors, and thereby, provide betterhealth, safety and rights protections for people served in licensed settings. In addition,the consolidation will provide better, more consistent across-the-board decision-makingfor regulatory application, interpretation and enforcement, particularly for those humanservices providers who serve multiple populations.

The initial phase of the initiative, scheduled for July 1, 2012, will involveLicensing Management and Research (licensing databases and managerial support),and Adult Residential Licensing (personal care homes) from the Office ofAdministration; Community Home, Family Living Home, Adult Training Facility, andVocational Facility licensing from the Office of Developmental Programs; and ChildResidential Licensing from the Office of Children, Youth and Families. Otherdepartment licensing functions will be included at later dates.

I hope you share our optimism for the success of this initiative. Please feel freeto contact Mr. Ron Melusky, Director of Human Services Licensing, at 717-783-3670.

April 27, 2012

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Releases Two New RulesOn April 26, CMS released two rules that support state efforts to expand access to home and community based services for people with disabilities.

CMCS Informational Bulletin

DATE: April 26, 2012

FROM: Cindy Mann, Director

Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS)

SUBJECT: Release of Home and Community-Based Services Rules

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing two rules that support State efforts to expand access to home and community based services (HCBS) for people with disabilities:

• Final Rule: Community First Choice (CMS-2337-F)

• Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Home and Community-Based State Plan Benefit (CMS-2249-P2), otherwise known as the "1915(i)" notice of proposed rulemaking.

Community First Choice (CMS-2337-F)

This final rule implements the Community First Choice State plan option, which was authorized by the Affordable Care Act and provides an incentive for States to expand Medicaid coverage for person-centered home and community-based attendant services and supports. States that elect the Community First Choice option are eligible for a 6 percentage point increase in their federal medical assistance percentage. Individuals who require an institutional level of care are eligible for the services, which will be offered in community-based settings.

The Affordable Care Act directs that the Community First Choice benefit may only be available in a "home or community" setting, and this rule does not finalize language regarding the definition for such settings. CMS articulated standards for settings in Community First Choice’s proposed rule, but based on the comments the agency received, CMS decided to revise the standard and seek public comment again. The revised standard is in the 1915(i) proposed regulation that CMS released today (discussed below.)

While the settings requirements are proposed, the Community First Choice option is in full effect, and CMS will rely upon these proposed provisions as we review new State plan amendments to implement the Community First Choice option. To the extent that there are changes when the settings standard is finalized, we are committed to offering States a reasonable transition period (of not less than one year) to make any needed changes to come into compliance with the final rule so as to minimize any disruption to State systems that were established in compliance with the proposed regulations.

CMCS Informational Bulletin, Page 2

1915(i) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (CMS-2249-P2)

This notice of proposed rulemaking defines and describes the option available to States under section 1915(i) of the Social Security Act, first authorized in 2005 and enhanced by the Affordable Care Act. This option permits States to offer home and community-based services under the Medicaid State plan without the use of a waiver. As a result, States will have the ability to provide a full array of home and community-based services to individuals who do not qualify for an institutional level of care but have significant services needs, which can include individuals with mental health conditions, Autism Spectrum Disorder, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or Alzheimer’s disease.

The rule also contains other provisions related to home and community based services, including:

• A proposed definition of home and community based settings that will serve as a common definition for services offered through the Community First Choice option and the 1915(i) State plan option.

• A five-year approval or renewal period for demonstration and waivers programs through which a State serves individuals who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid benefits.

This notice of proposed rulemaking is open for public comment for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Please refer to the Federal Register for specific instructions about submitting comments.

The rule is displayed at: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/03/2012-10385/state-plan-home-and-community-based-services-5-year-period-for-waivers-etc-medicaid-program

Additional information is available at: http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp

The rule is displayed at: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/05/07/2012-10294/medicaid-program-community-first-choice-option

Additional information is available at: http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp

The revised form has a new number, CY113 (UF) 6/11, located in the bottom righthand corner of the form. Information can be typed directly into the form. Users musthave a licensed version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to enter data, but will not be able tosave the form with information entered. Instead, the person completing the form mustprint the form immediately after entering in order to maintain and submit theinformation. A blank copy of the form can be saved on a user's computer for futureuse.

The form is now available in English and Spanish.The clearance section includes more options from which to choose such as:o Child care services employeeo Foster care

Adoption

o

School Employee

o

Employment with a significant likelihood of regular contact with children

o

Volunteers

o

DPW Employment & Training Program participants

o

Instructions for completing the form are attached to the form; instructions will printwith the completed document. DPW will continue to accept the old form untilApril 1, 2013.

Child abuse clearances must continue to be mailed via the US Postal service. DPWis encouraging agencies, businesses, and organizations to use the electronic form toproduce their own copies. The ChildLine Verification Unit will accept copies of the formas long as the applicant's signature appears. Questions may be directed to Terry Clark(teclark@pa.gov or 717-214-9545).